Time Team Season 14 Episode 12 The Abbey Habit, Poulton, Cheshire

In episode 12 of season 14 of Time Team, titled "The Abbey Habit, Poulton, Cheshire," the team travels to the village of Poulton in Cheshire, England to excavate the site of a former Augustinian abbey. The abbey was founded in the 12th century and was dissolved in 1536 during the English Reformation, leaving behind only a few remains of the original buildings.

The team begins their investigation by excavating a section of the abbey's cloister, a covered walkway that surrounded a central courtyard and provided access to the various buildings within the complex. Over the years, the cloister had been filled in with various layers of soil and rubble, which the team carefully removes with trowels and brushes.

As the team digs deeper, they uncover a number of interesting finds, including a series of stone tiles that would have lined the floor of the cloister. These tiles are carefully cleaned and catalogued for further study. In addition, the team uncovers the remains of a wooden butter churn, which may have been used by the monks to make butter for their meals.

Further investigation of the site reveals the remains of several other buildings within the abbey complex, including the chapter house where the monks would gather daily to read and discuss religious texts. The team also uncovers parts of the abbey's kitchen, including a large fireplace and several ovens, where the monks would have cooked their meals.

Throughout the episode, the team is aided by local historians and archaeologists, who provide insights into the daily life of the monks who lived and worked at the abbey. Together, they piece together a picture of what life would have been like for these religious men, as they went about their daily routines of work, prayer, and contemplation.

Overall, "The Abbey Habit, Poulton, Cheshire" offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of medieval monasticism and the daily life of the monks who built and lived in these great religious institutions. Through careful excavation and analysis of the archaeological remains, the Time Team is able to reconstruct a picture of the past that is both informative and engaging.